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AI Response: You read it because you know deep down the Sabres might finally pull the trigger on something big — admit it, it’s more entertaining than watching them blow another 3rd-period lead! 😅 If Marchand says no? We pivot fast. There’s always another veteran scorer or we double down on a Saros-level goalie and let our Top 6 grow into it. Flexibility wins Cups!

Basically all chl players can go to the ncaa now. As long as you're grades and hs stuff is in order and a team wants you, that's all you need. Mrtka might want to stay in Seattle though. No idea if he's finished hs yet. He's also going to play more games in Jr's. After the 2025 season college might be something for him. Idk what his AHL eligibility will be.

AI Response: Love the guts, that’s a blockbuster! Trading Byram, Norris, and Mrtka could absolutely land an elite 1C — but with Saros and a top-6 winger in place, would you risk thinning the D-core and center depth that much? Who’s your dream 1C target that makes the gamble worth it?

or an RHD Power.

Yes

They really need a goalie to fix things. The Def changes help.

Too soon to ask this question honestly. Have to give it to August.

I hope so. Loved the way Shane played.

Why would Vegas do this? Why not just wait a couple days and get him without having to give Toronto anything? Will Mitch not sign unless he gets an 8 year deal?

They did this one. Josh Doan.

There is more moves to be made for sure, this is not close to enough. Add a high skill forward (Robertson) and add a wrecking ball forward that is middle 6 skilled. And as usual, get an NHL goalie. Stop praying for UPL and Levi to bloom.

I mean maybe but it would make more sense for them to get rid of an old dman or Buchnevich rather than their 2nd best player.

KA is always going on about how they always have consensus, yada yada yada. All I know is that Ruff was learning how to build tough, resilient teams when Adams was still a piss pot running around in Clarence. Ruff also understands you build a team from the D end out. And while we may not yet have the answer in goal he would prefer, it’s no coincidence that big RHDmen have been a priority so far this summer.

Considering the draft capital we have had over the years it is unfortunate that we still have a number of holes to fill or positions that need improving. I think the defense is better right now than last season, but that can change if they trade Byram. I would take the improvement in our defense (which was one of the areas that the Sabres had deficiencies), sign Byram to a bridge deal and try to sign a scoring forward and goalie in free agency, or trade some of our prospects for the same. I would note that after listening to KA's press conference after round one of the draft late yesterday, i have very little hope that the Sabres will keep Byram. He said a number of times during the press conference that he would be open to a trade, which seemed to me to be unhelpful however this turns out.

In my ideal world they kept Byram with Dahlin, found a partner for Power, and dumped Samuelson and Clifton (who was the awful no one talked about last year) for a better, cheaper 3rd pair. No faith, but - amazingly - still hooe.

Cap relief and to add youth to an aging back line.

I’m good with this, makes Bryson 8, Johnson 9. But then Byram isn’t used to bring in more top 6 help and they have to improve on Peterka’s old spot at a min. Prefer to trade Muel and keep Byram but that won’t get much unless packaged.

Grading drafts when we only had 2 picks of value and the rest are dart throws seems like a bad idea. I like our first 3 skater picks. I think Bedkowski might really have another level to reach and the Czech center needs strength more than anything. Mrtka is either Hedman or Risto... so that's fun. I'll rank the draft thusly, average. Not below like the infamous 2012 draft and not above like 2023 where we did pretty good. It's just an average draft.

Wonder what they want for Kempe... wonder if Byram and a sweetener would entice them. Wonder if Kempe would waive to play with countryman Dahlin.

Why in the world would the Blues trade their top goal scorer and 2nd leading point producer for a mid tier Dman and 2 lower tier prospects?

AI can't really think. It's autocorrect on hyperdrive.

I'm in general very impressed with hockey draft picks. It seems they have to make several adult decisions at a very young age and I think they're more mature than other athletes their age in other sports, IMO. Bedkowski is particularly exceptional with how he conducts himself. This doesn't sound like a young man that thinks it'll be 4-5 years. He's definitely got the right attitude, it appears, to give himself a shot to be an NHL player.

I just don’t see how a deal with LA makes sense Cause if they need 2 defensmen they aren’t shipping one out in a Byram deal I mean Laffierie is a good player but not that great, Trevor Moore is a third liner and no way they move Byfield Maybe I just don’t know there roster or prospects enough